Cold weather sleeve garment

ABSTRACT

A garment assembly has a left sleeve member, a right sleeve member and a fastener member connecting the left sleeve member and the right sleeve member together across a front portion of the garment. A shaped hem member connects the left sleeve member and the right sleeve member across a back portion of the garment. One end the shaped hem member is secured to one side of the fastener member and an other end of the shaped hem member is secured to an other side of the fastener member.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the U.S. Government for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

FIELD

The aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of garments, and in particular to a sleeved garment that covers the wearer's arms.

BACKGROUND

The US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center (CCDC SC) in collaboration with the Product Manager for Soldier Clothing and Individual Equipment (PM SCIE), and the Maneuver Center of Excellence (MCoE) has launched the Cold/Extreme Cold Weather Clothing (C/ECWC) program, a research effort that will quantify performance and material needs for Soldiers operating in cold/wet and extreme cold environments. This effort includes developing garments that integrate with all fielded C/ECWC, body armor and load carriage systems.

Numerous types of upper-body outerwear are currently in use. Existing garments generally provide a degree of protection from moisture and extreme temperatures, while also allowing some range of motion to the wearer's arms. These garments are generally formed of lightweight, waterproof or water-resistant materials and generally include a degree of insulation and breathability. These garments can be relatively inexpensive, and are known to exhibit modest durability over repeated uses.

Despite their widespread acceptance, existing upper-body garments are in many instances poorly adapted for use with load-bearing articles such as body armor, chest rigs, chest harnesses and backpacks. For example, donning and doffing of the outerwear can require the removal and redonning of body armor over the outerwear. While this process provides access to equipment supported by the body armor, it can be uncomfortable and time-consuming, providing redundant protection to portions of the wearer. Donning of the outerwear over body armor is in many aspects an undesirable alternative, as the outerwear must generally be oversized to accommodate equipment supported by the wearer's torso and generally impedes access to the same.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a garment that addresses at least some of the problems identified above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

As described herein, the exemplary embodiments overcome one or more of the above or other disadvantages known in the art.

One aspect of the exemplary embodiments relates to a garment assembly. In one embodiment, the garment assembly has a left sleeve member and a right sleeve member. A fastener member connects the left sleeve member and the right sleeve member together across a front portion of the garment. A shaped hem member connects the left sleeve member and the right sleeve member across a back portion of the garment. One end the shaped hem member is secured to one of the fastener member and an other end of the shaped hem member is secured to an other side of the fastener member.

In one aspect, the garment assembly further includes a left sleeve joining member and a right sleeve joining member, the left joining member forming an interface between the left sleeve member and the fastener member, wherein a left seam member connects the left joining member to the left sleeve member, and the right joining member forming an interface between the right sleeve member and the fastener member, wherein a right seam member connects the right joining member to the right sleeve member.

In one aspect of the garment assembly, the left seam member and the right seam member comprise a raglan style seam member.

In one aspect of the garment assembly, the shaped hem member is disposed along an edge of the left sleeve joining member away from the left seam member and along an edge of the right sleeve joining member away from the right seam member.

In one aspect, the garment assembly further includes an elastic member disposed in a channel formed by the shaped hem member, wherein one end of the elastic member is secured to the one side of the fastener member and an other end of the elastic member is secured to the other side of the fastener member.

In one aspect of the garment assembly, a portion of the elastic member disposed in the channel is connected to the shaped hem member on a bottom side of an arm portion of the left sleeve joining member and another portion of the elastic member disposed in the channel is connected to the shaped hem member on a bottom side of an arm portion of the right sleeve joining member.

In one aspect of the garment assembly, the connection of the shaped hem member to the arm portion of the left sleeve member and the connection of the shaped hem member to the arm portion of the right sleeve member is configured to maintain an even split of elasticity distribution of the elastic member from the fastener member to the respective connections.

In one aspect of the garment assembly, the fastener member is a hook and loop type fastener.

In one aspect of the garment assembly, the arrangement of the left sleeve member and the right sleeve member forms an opening between the left sleeve member and the right sleeve member that is configured to be disposed over a torso of a wearer.

In one aspect of the garment assembly, the opening is configured to expose a front portion of the torso of the wearer and expose a back portion of a torso of a wearer.

These and other aspects and advantages of the exemplary embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Moreover, the aspects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate presently preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. As shown throughout the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a garment incorporating aspects of the disclosed embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a back view of the garment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a view of a portion of the garment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a view of a portion of the garment shown in FIG. 1 highlighting certain anchor points.

FIG. 5 illustrates a back view of the garment of FIG. 1 highlighting elasticity aspects.

FIG. 6 illustrates one example of a closure mechanism for the cold weather sleeve of FIG. 1

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the garment shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of garment 100 incorporating aspects of the disclosed embodiments is illustrated. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments are directed to a sleeved garment that is designed to integrate with all fielded C/ECWC, body armor and load carriage systems. For the purposes of the description herein, the garment 100 can be referred to as a cold weather sleeve garment. While the aspects of the disclosed embodiments referred to herein generally describe the cold weather sleeve garment in terms of cold temperatures, the aspects of the disclosed embodiments are not so limited. The cold weather sleeve garment 100 described herein can also be configured to protect the wearer from other environmental conditions and hazards, such as rain, snow, contaminants or flame.

The cold weather sleeve garment 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is configured as a quick don/doff garment, used predominantly as an outer layer. For example, the cold weather sleeve garment 100 is configured to provide insulation to the arms of the wearer and is kept in close proximity to the body of the wearer. This allows the cold weather sleeve garment 100 to be worn (or used) without interfering with the standard use and operation of body armor and/or load carriage over which the cold weather sleeve garment 100 is worn. The cold weather sleeve garment 100 of the disclosed embodiments is also configured to be worn in conjunction with body armor and/or load carriage without restricting or impeding the wearer's range of motion. In one embodiment, the cold weather sleeve 100 can be worn underneath body armor or load carriage and held in place until needed. In another embodiment, the cold weather sleeve 100 can be worn underneath a garment to provide added insulation.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of one embodiment of a cold weather sleeve garment 100 incorporating aspects of the disclosed embodiments. In the example of FIG. 1, the cold weather sleeve garment 100 includes two arm or sleeve members 110, 120. For the purposes of the description herein, the two sleeve members 110, 120 will be referred to herein as left sleeve member 110 and right sleeve member 120. The construction and configuration of the left sleeve member 110 and the right sleeve member 120 is substantially the same, as is generally described herein, with the exception of differences due to the particular left/right orientation.

In the example of FIG. 1, the cold weather sleeve garment 100 includes a left joining member 112 and a right joining member 122 on the front portion 12 of the garment 100. The left joining member 112 and the right joining member 122 are configured to connect the left arm member 110 and the right arm member 120 across the front portion 12 of the garment 100. In one embodiment, a fastener member 102 can be used to secure the left joining member 112 to the right joining member 122.

A material of the cold weather sleeve garment 100 is generally an insulative type of material. For example, in one embodiment, the sleeve members 110, 120 can be made of an optional liner, an insulating material and an optional cover shell. The fabrics can be quilted together if the target application requires it. The joining members 112, 122 can be made of the same materials as sleeve members 110 and 120.

A seam member 114 connects or joins the left sleeve member 110 to the left joining member 112. Another seam member 124 connects or joins the right sleeve member 120 to the right joining member 122. The joining members may also be referred to as panel or panel members. In one embodiment, the respective seam members 114 and 124 comprise a raglan type seam member. A raglan type seam optimizes maneuverability when multiple layers are worn. The use of raglan seams also minimizes constriction in the underarm and bicep areas of the respective sleeve member 110, 120 by circumventing the use of a traditional set-in sleeve. In one embodiment, the seam members 114, 124 include a four-needle flatlock stitch seam finish. In alternate embodiments, the seam finish will depend on the materials used for the sleeve members 110, 120 and the joining members 112, 122. If sleeve and joining members are waterproof, then seam sealing is required in lieu of stitching. If sleeve and joining members are of dissimilar materials, then a compatible seam finish would be required.

Although a raglan type seam is generally described herein with respect to seam members 114 and 124, the aspects of the disclosed embodiments are not so limited. In alternate embodiments, the use of any suitable seam member is contemplated, other than including a raglan type seam, which optimizes maneuverability and minimizes constriction when the sleeve garment 100 is worn in accordance with the aspect of the disclosed embodiments.

In one embodiment referring to FIG. 1, the cold weather sleeve garment 100 includes a shaped hem member 104. The shaped hem member 104 is disposed in a torso region of the cold weather sleeve garment 100 and is constructed to function as a channel that runs along the front portion 12 and the back portion 14 of the garment 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, which illustrates the back portion 14 of the garment 100, the shaped hem member 104 forms a center back neck member 202 connecting the left sleeve member 110 and the right sleeve member 120. In one embodiment, the center back neck member 202 is a knit piece member. The knit piece member 202 is constructed as an extended portion of the shaped hem member 104 and acts as a comfort feature for a high tension area along the back neck. With reference to FIG. 7, the knit piece member 202 is configured to maximize the stretch and maneuverability needed along the high tension area 702 of the center back neck of the wearer.

In the example of FIG. 2, the underarm cover stich seam 214 comprises a four needle flatlock stich seam finish. In alternate embodiment, the underarm cover stich seams can comprise any suitable seam finish. A coverstich 224 can be used at the side seam (or the seam joining both the front and back pieces/members). Dependent on how the manufacturer decides to construct the garment, the coverstich seam 214 and the coverstich seam 224 can be considered the same seam.

Referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, an elastic webbing member 302 is fed through the entirety of the channel 304 of the shaped hem member 104. In one embodiment, the elastic webbing member 302 comprises a ¾ inch free-flowing elasticized webbing member. In alternate embodiments, any suitable dimensioned webbing member can be utilized, other than including a ¾ inch member.

In one embodiment, one end of the elastic webbing member 302 can be bartacked at each of the left and right underarm seams 204, 206 of the garment 100, as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The other end of the elastic webbing member 302 can be anchored in area 306 shown in FIG. 4. Area 306 highlights an area along the hem where the elastic webbing member 302 is anchored by a stich line or bar tack, for example. In one embodiment, the area 306 can provide an approximate two-inch area to anchor the elastic webbing member 302. The webbing member 302 can also be cut to approximately 75% to 85% of the length of the channel 304 of the shaped hem member 104. This provides a suitable restriction or tightening.

Referring also to FIG. 5, with an elongation of approximately 5% and an elastic recovery of approximately 95% to 100%, the shaped hem member 104 uses a functional elasticized distribution of at minimum 45% to 55%. A minimum of 45% distributed elasticity runs across the back between the two bartacks 204, 206, illustrated as the line 402 in FIG. 5, to facilitate shape retention of the shaped hem member 104. As illustrated by lines 404, 406, 55% elasticity is split generally evenly (at 27.5%) from the respective bartacks 204, 206 of the underarm seams to center front, on either side of the fastener 102.

The shaped hem member 104, also referred to as a curved hem member, allows the cold weather sleeve garment 100 to fit more securely and comfortably and aids in keeping the cold weather sleeve garment 100 in close proximity to the body without impeding on the wearer's range of motion or interfering with the standard use and operation of the body armor and/or load carriage over which it is worn. The turned hem of the shaped hem member 104 creates a finished channel 304. In one embodiment, the shaped hem member 104 is a continuous member, running from one side or portion of the fastener member 102, across the front of the garment 100, under the arm portion, across the back under the other arm portion and to the other side or portion of the fastener member 102. This maintains the “one piece” concept of the cold weather sleeve garment 100.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the neck opening of the cold weather sleeve garment 100 includes a hem or binding. In the example of FIG. 1, this hem is shown as left hem member 118 and right hem member 128. In one embodiment, the hem members 118, 128 comprise a 1 inch (1.5 inch on fold) MIL-T-5038 Type 3 binding with double needle topstich. In alternate embodiments, the hem members 118, 128 can comprise any suitable type of binding of any suitable size.

Referring also to FIG. 6, in one embodiment, the fastener member 102 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a hook and loop type fastener. As shown in FIG. 6, the left side joining member 112 includes a hook portion 502 of the fastener 102, while the right side joining member 122 includes a loop portion 504 of the fastener 102. While a hook and loop type fastener is generally described herein, the aspects of the disclosed embodiments are not so limited. In alternate embodiments, any suitable fastener can be used, other than including a hook and loop type fastener. The aspects of the disclosed embodiments provide for quick and easy don/doff of the cold weather sleeve garment. For example, one or more of a button or magnet type fastener could be used. The type of fastener used can be application dependent.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cold weather sleeve garment 100 also includes cuff members 116, 126 at the end of each sleeve member 110, 120, respectively. In one embodiment, the cuff members 116, 126 are cuff members, such as ribbed wool cuffs. The cuff members 116, 126 act to secure the placement of the cold weather sleeve garment 100 on the wearer's arms as it is worn over the underlying layers, as well as acting as a guard against wind and snow.

The cold weather sleeve garment of the disclosed embodiments provides a quick don/doff outer garment that integrates with cold weather clothing, body armor and load carriage systems. The garment provides the wearer with protection to the arms, while minimizing any reduction in maneuverability when the garment is worn with body armor.

The cold weather sleeve garment can be configured as a dual-sized garment, with sizes such as, for example, but not limited to, Small/Medium, Large/XLarge, and 2XLarge/3XLarge. The sizing aspects of the cold weather sleeve garment of the disclosed embodiments is configured to accommodate a larger range of the sizing tariff while decreasing the number of sizes required in manufacturing.

Thus, while there have been shown, described and pointed out, fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of devices and methods illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps, which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results, are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A unisex garment assembly having a front portion worn on a front of a wearer and a back portion extending across a wearer's back and being configured to be worn with body armor, comprising: a left sleeve member configured to cover a left arm of a user and a right sleeve configured to cover a right arm of a user member; a fastener member connecting the left sleeve member and the right sleeve member together across the front portion of the garment; a continuous and shaped hem member having a generally inverted U-shape along the front portion and the back portion respectively in a direction that extends upwardly in a direction towards the head of the wearer in order to maximize an exposure of the chest and back of a torso of the wearer and wherein the shaped hem member extends from one side of the fastener to another side and connects the left sleeve member and the right sleeve member across the back portion of the garment; a left sleeve joining member and a right sleeve joining member, the left sleeve joining member forming an interface between the left sleeve member and the fastener member, wherein a left seam member connects the left sleeve joining member to the left sleeve member, and the right sleeve joining member forming an interface between the right sleeve member and the fastener member, wherein a right seam member connects the right sleeve joining member to the right sleeve member; wherein the shaped hem member extends continuously along an edge of the left sleeve joining member away from the left seam member and continuously along an edge of the right sleeve joining member away from the right seam member; an elastic member disposed in a channel formed by the shaped hem member, wherein one end of the elastic member is secured to the one side of the fastener member and another end of the elastic member is secured to the other side of the fastener member; wherein a portion of the elastic member disposed in the channel is connected to the shaped hem member on a bottom side of an arm portion of the left sleeve joining member and another portion of the elastic member disposed in the channel is connected to the shaped hem member on a bottom side of an arm portion of the right sleeve joining member, and wherein the elastic member and shaped hem member solely connects the left sleeve member and the right sleeve member across the back portion of the garment and further wherein the elastic member has an elongation of approximately 5% and an elastic recovery of approximately 95% to 100%, the shaped hem member has a functional elasticized distribution of about 45% along a back portion and about 55% along a front portion; wherein the connection of the shaped hem member to the arm portion of the left sleeve member and the connection of the shaped hem member to the arm portion of the right sleeve member is configured to maintain an even split of elasticity distribution of the elastic member from the fastener member to the respective connections; wherein the arrangement of the left sleeve member and the right sleeve member forms an opening between the left sleeve member and the right sleeve member that is configured to be disposed over the torso of the wearer; and wherein the opening is defined by the inverted U-shape of the shaped hem member whereby same is configured to expose body armor and load carriage located on the front and the back portion of the torso of the wearer.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The garment assembly according to claim 1, wherein the left seam member and the right seam member comprise a raglan style seam member.
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled)
 6. (canceled)
 7. (canceled)
 8. The garment assembly according to claim 1, wherein the fastener member is a hook and loop type fastener.
 9. (canceled)
 10. (canceled)
 11. The garment assembly according to claim 1, wherein the garment assembly is configured to interface with one or more of body armor and load carriage. 